June 25, 2010
Electronics Recycling Day

As part of its strategic plan implementation, Unity House’s Technology and Infrastructure Committees recently co-sponsored an agency-wide technology e-cycling event. Staff were asked to round up old, broken, unused electronic equipment, cords, toner, etc. for this green initiative.

“We didn’t have any idea what to expect,” said Technology Committee member Mary Fishlock. “The event was very successful – we were shocked by how much stuff was delivered on collection day.”

Hard drives have been removed and cleaned, and the items will now be “responsibly recycled” through Regional Recycle Computer and Recovery of Victor, NY. The company will provide packing boxes, which will be loaded up and taken to the plant near Rochester for disassembly and recycling.

Equipment Received

Towers 10
Printers 10
Monitors 21
Keyboards 20
Scanners 2
VCR 1
TV 1
Laptop 1
Fax machines 4
Stereo 1
Microwave oven 1
Tape recorders
Cell phones
Power cords
Telephone cords
Ink and toner cartridges

June 12, 2010
CASE MANSION OPEN HOUSE ON FOUNDER’S DAY

Auburn celebrates local inventor Theodore Case and being “The Birthplace of Talking Movies” at its second annual Founder’s Day event on Saturday, June 12. In 1977, Unity House got its start in the Case Mansion at 108 South Street, and still maintains a community residence for adults with disabilities within its walls. In partnership with the City of Auburn and the Auburn Downtown BID, Unity House will host an open house at the Case Mansion from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on June 12. All are welcome to walk through the public spaces and grounds of this beautiful historic structure. Click HERE to learn more about the Case Mansion and Ted Case’s groundbreaking work in putting sound on film.


May 11, 2010
A NIGHT ON BROADWAY

On April 15, Unity House consumers, staff, family, and friends gathered at the Springside Inn in Auburn for a gala dinner dance. This Unity House tradition was organized by Program Managers Barb Gregg and Tammie Miner to “applaud and recognize the consumers for the beautiful people they truly are,” said Barb.

“Some of our consumers mentioned that they had never ridden in a limousine and most had never had an occasion to really dress up in formal attire or attend anything like a prom, so the idea for a fancy dinner and dance developed,” explains Barb. “The folks at the Springside Inn worked with us to arrange a wonderful dinner at a cost that was affordable. We decided on a Broadway theme since the Springside was hosting a Broadway series which fit right in with our vision of a black tie event complete with ‘celebrities.’ The red carpet was laid, each person’s name was placed on a star, and gold, silver and black balloons were hung about the room. We even arranged to have our own ‘paparazzi’ take pictures as guests arrived in limos we rented for them!”

About 30 consumers attended, many accompanied by family and friends. A number of Unity House staff joined in the festivities as well, for a total of more than 60 guests. Limos transported consumers from their homes to the dinner, and several Auburn businesses assisted with evening wear, beauty services, flowers, and music. Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner while a slide show of activities from the past year ran in the background.

“There were lots of oohs and ahhs, smiles, laughter and dancing,” said Barb. “It truly was the best special event for residential consumers that we’ve ever had.”

Special thanks to these people and local businesses that supported the gala dinner dance:

Alliance Church thrift store (evening wear)
Hairlooms (hair and beauty services)
J & J Limousine (transportation)
Jim Van Arsdale (music)
Peter Brooks Beauty School (haircuts)
Springside Inn
Theresa Chapman (corsages and boutonnieres)
Tutor Club of Cayuga Community College (evening wear)
Wayne Fuller (music)


April 20, 2010
UNITY HOUSE MOVES INTO NEW ITHACA SPACE
Public invited to ribbon-cutting celebration at Catherwood Road facility

Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. announces the grand opening of its new facility in Lansing Village Place, 15 Catherwood Road, Ithaca. Elizabeth Werner, executive director of Unity House, cordially invites the Ithaca community to a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception to celebrate the agency’s move. The event will take place from 3:00 – 4:30 pm on Tuesday, May 11; no reservations are necessary.

“This advantageous site will offer easy accessibility to multiple venues of interest to our consumers – the YMCA, restaurants, Pyramid Mall, and more,” said Werner. “Our new location features plenty of free parking, beautiful office suites, is on the public bus line, and best of all, provides better service to our consumers. Significant renovations have taken place, we are all moved in, and we invite the community to celebrate with us.”

The move to Catherwood Road offers tremendous opportunity for creative expansion of Unity House’s Ithaca-based programs. The agency’s day habilitation program serves nearly 45 adults with disabilities a day, and these new facilities offer space that is five times larger than the former downtown facility.

“The new day habilitation site at Catherwood Road provides much-needed additional space,” said Program Director Darlene Podolak. “There is now room to work together in small groups or find a quiet place to enjoy a book. The individuals who receive our services have increased opportunity to develop and apply their skills in an environment that can accommodate everyone’s needs and interests. The space is beautiful and better represents to the consumers the value that they and their contributions have in the agency.”


April 6, 2010
MUSIC MAESTROS
Consumer Guitar Concert in Ithaca

Unity House offered guitar lessons to its Ithaca consumers this spring through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging College of Lifelong Learning program. Assistant Director of Residential Services Louis Pelino taught ten participants in the 6-week course. The group met for an hour every Tuesday on Court Street.

“This is the third year I’ve run the course,” said Louis. “Guitar is an extremely popular instrument that many people want to learn how to play, and the class has always had a good turnout. Most of the participants are proud guitar owners and musical enthusiasts. We learned about the basics: tuning, simple chords, singing, and having a good time.”

The idea for a culminating concert came from one of the class participants who was eager to show off the group’s talent. The class chose songs, arranged a set list together, and performed a 4-song set at Unity House’s new day hab space on Catherwood Road.


March 25, 2010
METRO MATTRESS DONATES BEDS FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY RESIDENTS

In response to a grant application, Metro Mattress of Syracuse has awarded Unity House two twin bed sets for its consumers. The sleep sets, part of the “50 Beds in 50 Days” promotion sponsored by Metro Mattress this spring, were delivered to Unity House apartments in Dryden and Ithaca, two of seven independent living sites run by the agency in Tompkins County. Unity House cares for approximately 65 adults with disabilities in the Ithaca area. These much-needed beds included a mattress, box spring, and steel frame.



February 25, 2010
THE BIG DIG


Consumers and staff at Auburn day hab dig out after the big snow storm in February!